Former Watford forward Rey Manaj has been involved in a car accident in Turkey, just hours after playing for current club Sivasspor, although he is believed to be ‘out of danger’.

The 28-year-old joined the Hornets for a brief period in the 2022/23 season, having previously played for Barcelona’s B squad.

However, Manaj scored just one goal in six league games for Watford, with a hamstring injury impeding his progress before his contract was amicably terminated.

Rey Manaj involved in a major automobile incident following Sivasspor training.

Unfortunately, he has been in the news for non-football reasons in the last 24 hours, as Manaj was engaged in a car accident in Sivas.

The Sun said that the forward was ‘rushed to hospital’ after his vehicle was involved in a ‘terrifying’ incident on his way home from the club’s training field.

This came after the club returned to the city from a 1-1 draw with Adana Demirspor, in which Manaj played the entire 90 minutes.

Thankfully, the update states that the player is ‘out of danger’, however he was put in the hospital overnight to be monitored following the mishap.

Manaj returned to Sivasspor at the end of January, following a brief spell with Al Sharjah in between.

The Albanian has quickly adjusted to his return to Sivasspor, scoring two goals in his first three games as the team struggles in the bottom half of the Turkish second division.

Rey Manaj will try to fulfill his World Cup dream for Albania.

Obviously, when you hear news like this, football becomes meaningless, and everyone involved with Watford and the game will wish Manaj the best of luck in his rehabilitation.

Ultimately, that is all that matters, and the initial update was encouraging in that he is no longer in danger.

Manaj will undoubtedly be eager to get back on the field, as he is at a critical point in his career.

The move to Sivasspor allows him to return to a club he is familiar with, and he should be able to score goals consistently in Turkey, as he has in the past.

Manaj’s major goal this year will be to assist Albania qualify for the World Cup in America.

They have been drawn against Poland in the play-offs, and the winner will face either Sweden or Ukraine for a spot in the tournament.

That game is scheduled for the end of March, and while Manaj is not a certain starter, he is expected to be called up if he is fit and available, as the forward has 44 caps for his country and 11 goals.

So he’ll be anxious to play if at all possible, and there will almost certainly be updates on his status in the coming days as he prepares to return to the game.